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ESU MEN'S BASKETBALL HIRES FORMER HORNET AS ASSISTANT

Complete Release

March 30, 2009-Emporia State head men's basketball coach David Moe has promoted former Hornet Wes Book to the full-time assistant coach position to replace Ben McCollum.  McCollum has been named the new head coach at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State.

"I want to thank Coach Moe for the opportunity," said Book. "Next year will be my sixth year in the program and I think that stability will help the Hornets build on what Coach Moe has already accomplished.

Book served as the graduate assistant at Emporia State in 2008-09 after a outstanding career as a Hornet.  He was named the 2004-05 MIAA Freshman of the Year and ranks 12th in career scoring at ESU with 1,267 points.  His senior year was cut short by injuries and he spent the final three games as a student assistant for the Hornets during their run to the MIAA Tournament Championship game in 2008.

"Wes is the second guy, along with Jeff Linder (current assistant at San Francisco), that I've had as an assistant, that coming in knows what I'm about and what we want to do as a program," said Moe. "That will make the transition from Ben to Wes as smooth as possible."

As a graduate assistant, Book was primarily responsible for travel arrangements and opponent scouting, and assisted with recruiting, video breakdown and on the floor coaching.  

"As a GA, Wes was involved in all aspects of the program from recruiting to video breakdown to on court coaching," said Moe. "That along with the fact that he played for Emporia State and is an Emporia native, makes him an ideal person for this position."

McCollum had spent four years at ESU after serving as a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri State.  He played for the Bearcats for two years after beginning his career at North Iowa Area CC.  He takes over the NWMSU program following the retirement of Steve Tappmeyer.

"We're all happy for Ben and his family," said Moe. "Our coaches and players take pride in the part we played in helping him get the opportunity to be a head coach."  

"I loved my time at ESU and really enjoyed working for Coach Moe, the administration and with all the coaches at ESU," said McCollum. "The opportunity to be the head coach at my alma mater was something I couldn't pass up at this point in my career."

ESU was 18-10 last season and finished third in the MIAA.  The Hornets are set to return over 90% of their scoring and nearly 87% of their rebounding for the 2009-10 season.

The Book File

Coaching Experience

Emporia State 2008-09

Graduate Assistant

Student Assistant final three games of 2008 season

Playing Experience

Emporia State 2004-08

MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2004-05

Ranks 12th in career scoring at ESU with 1,267 points

###HORNETS###